Mitsubishi News

Mitsubishi could be planning an all-out hybrid assault with its new Pajero 4WD and Triton ute.The Japanese brand is reportedly planning to make its Thai manufacturing facility a production and export hub for electrified vehicles. Mitsubishi builds the Triton ute in Thailand and will produce the coming Pajero there, too.Mitsubishi Motors Chairman and CEO Takao Kato made the announcement on a recent visit with the Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, according to Nikkei Asia.The Japanese carmaker’s Thai production facility will reportedly be focusing on producing electrified versions of the Triton ute, as well as the forthcoming Pajero SUV.This indicates that Mitsubishi could be fast-tracking electrified versions of both the Triton and Pajero. The former vehicle is currently only available with diesel engines and the latter hasn’t been revealed yet, but it’s expected to share componentry.Around the reveal of the current, sixth-generation Triton ute in 2023, Mitsubishi had claimed it was developing an electric version.In October 2025, Mitsubishi Engineering Fellow Kaoru Sawase told CarsGuide the Japanese carmaker is still looking to make an electrified version of the Triton, but it’ll now more likely have a hybrid powertrain.“Of course there’s a need to reduce CO2 emissions,” said Sawase.“So along with the flow of the times, there is a need to develop Triton HEV, so we are working on that.”“So first we have to work on hybrid, not the way of plug-in hybrid.“In the past, we have announced to launch the battery electric vehicle Triton. But now the reaction has shifted a little bit.“We are now trying to quickly launch the electrified vehicle.”It’s worth noting that Mitsubishi already makes electrified vehicles at its Thai manufacturing plant. These include the Xforce Hybrid, Xpander Hybrid and Xpander Cross Hybrid.There are currently no Mitsubishi plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) or electric vehicles (EVs) made in Thailand.Globally the Japanese carmaker has already committed to introducing 13 new models, including five hybrid and PHEV models, over the next five years.It’s unclear how many of these new electrified models will be produced in Thailand.Although diesel-powered vehicles are still incredibly popular in Thailand, the local government is looking to boost and incentivise the production of electric vehicles (EVs).This has already caught the attention of many Chinese carmakers who have set up Thai production hubs for export markets. Examples include BYD, Chery, GWM and MG.This pressure from the Thai government and the investment from Mitsubishi to introduce more Thai-made electrified vehicles may benefit its Australian arm if the vehicles produced launch locally.Mitsubishi did receive credits last year from the recently instated New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in Australia for beating its fleet CO2 targets, however these targets are tightening every year.One of the few ways of reducing the company’s fleet CO2 emissions, besides buying credits from other carmakers, is by introducing more low-emissions vehicles, like hybrids and EVs.Mitsubishi already offers the Outlander PHEV and has remaining stock of the discontinued Eclipse Cross PHEV in Australia.The Japanese carmaker has also confirmed it will be launching an EV that has been co-developed with Taiwanese carmaker Foxtron in Australia before the end of 2026.At this stage Mitsubishi hasn’t confirmed any other electrified vehicle launches in Australia yet.

The Mitsubishi Pajero is getting closer to Aussie buyers.The highly-anticipated 4WD will be officially revealed in Japan on the 2nd of September 2026, according to Japanese magazine BestCar via a dealer source.This sets it up to land on Australian shores not long after.The Pajero’s price in Japan should be revealed as part of this announcement, which will indicate how much it could cost in Australia. The returning Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser competitor is expected to arrive Down Under by November, with it already approved for sale. It will be based on Mitsubishi’s Triton ute.It will employ the same 2.4-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, making 150kW and 470Nm.The car will have a six-speed automatic transmission as well as a rugged four-wheel drive system. The Pajero will be available in four different trim levels. The GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR, mirroring elements of the Triton’s lineup.  It will also feature a digital recreation of its iconic triple analogue instrument meters that were found on previous generations of the Pajero called a ‘Multi Meter’.Mitsubishi’s Chief Vehicle Engineer Takaaki Matsumoto recently told CarsGuide that there are high hopes for its new model. "In the development of the new Pajero, we aimed to inherit and evolve the vulnerability and comfort that successive Pajeros have been about," Takaaki said. "This is the embodiment of Pajero, which developed the 4WD, which was for working cars until now, as an all-round 4WD that anyone can run comfortably on any road. On top of that, we worked together to make a big jump up in how to make this Mitsubishi Motors' flagship.”"I can confidently say that the new Pajero has been able to raise both static and dynamic quality to a very high level. If you open the door and get into the car, you should want to stay in this car forever, drive forever, and own it forever."

The Mitsubishi Pajero has got an official launch window, with the brand promising the model will make its global debut in the Japanese autumn, so between September and November this year.That sets the clock officially ticking for the hugely anticipated model's arrival, as its chief engineer vows "this project will be successful".That's the word from Takaaki Matsumoto, the new Pajero's Chief Vehicle Engineer, who has published a series of statements in the lead-up to the Pajero's launch.In them, he promises the new model will be "amazing", and has already silenced doubters inside the company."When it was decided to take on this heavy responsibility as the person in charge of development, it was a strange feeling of a mixture of expectations and anxiety," he says. "You can design a model that symbolises Mitsubishi Motors. There is no more rewarding a job than this. At the same time, can it create something that exceeds the weight of Pajero's history, the thoughts of employees in various positions, and above all, the expectations of fans who are eager to revive around the world? I still remember well that various emotions were intertwined."The most difficult thing for the development was that all the staff involved in the development shared 'what Pajero should be like' and put it into a specific plan. Since you call yourself Pajero, there is a performance that must be achieved."Where do I need to rebuild to do that? It is a (difficult) process to check them one by one and move forward step by step while absorbing the company's policies. At first, some staff members would have been hesitant."However, as the skeleton of the design was decided and it was dropped into the parts, I felt that the development team was making something amazing. And when I felt that the development team was full of confidence when I saw the first prototype car, I was also able to be convinced that this project will be successful."The chief engineer went on to describe the feeling he wanted the Pajero to deliver, promising a car that blends comfort with capability, and that allows anyone to tackle off-road tracks. "In the development of the new Pajero, we aimed to inherit and evolve the vulnerability and comfort that successive Pajeros have been about," he says."This is the embodiment of Pajero, which developed the 4WD, which was for working cars until now, as an all-round 4WD that anyone can run comfortably on any road. On top of that, we worked together to make a big jump up in how to make this Mitsubishi Motors' flagship."In order to shape the designer's commitment to the interior, we considered various construction methods with the design and production departments. And with the skills of craftsmen, we were able to embody an elaborate design that is difficult for mass-produced cars."I can confidently say that the new Pajero has been able to raise both static and dynamic quality to a very high level. If you open the door and get into the car, you should want to stay in this car forever, drive forever, and own it forever."It's a thought echoed by Mitsubishi's chief product specialist, Kunitoshi Itagaki, who says the new Pajero will be ready for adventure."A sense of high-quality quality, as a Mitsubishi Motors SUV, the driving performance and reliability that anyone can go anywhere with confidence, and the fact that all occupants can enjoy moving comfortably. Each of these leads to a sense of security that this car is fine, and it boosts the desire to go with adventure and challenge, just like the Pajero so far," he says.Finally, Norihiko Yoshimine, the Pajero program design director, promises that the Pajero blends history with evolution, and will pull the brand from now on. "I aimed not only to inherit Pajero's design philosophy, but also to evolve it to lead to the future," he says."Since the start of development, we have accumulated inheritance and innovation, and we were finally able to put it together into one package called the new Pajero."The new Pajero will definitely be the one who will pull Mitsubishi Motors from now on. We would like not only those who know the successive Pajero, but also the younger generation to experience the new Pajero."

Japan’s major carmakers are reportedly looking to band together and standardise componentry in order to stand up against the rise of Chinese players.As reported by Automotive News, this directive is coming from Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) Chairman Koji Sato who is also the Toyota Vice Chairman and Chief Industry Officer.As a start, Sato is looking to standardise wiring harnesses across the Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota brands, which could reportedly increase productivity more than tenfold.There could also be scope to widen the commonality to steel grades, plastics, among other common components to manufacture cars.“Right now, the most important theme facing the Japanese auto industry is improving ‘international competitiveness’,” said Sato to Automotive News.“We aim to strategically create ‘areas of cooperation’ to improve efficiency, thereby accelerating coexistence in the essential ‘areas of competition.“We have a strong sense of crisis that the Japanese auto industry is in a massive period of transition.“Now is exactly the time to further develop and evolve with the challenges and reform initiatives that the auto industry as a whole must face.“Unless things change, we will not survive.”“We are really talking about what we can do together, because we do see that other industries in other countries or other parts of the world are better organised than us,” said Nissan Motor Company CEO Ivan Espinosa to Automotive News.“We will see a lot more collaboration among Japanese OEMs.“We have a big opportunity to start sharing critical commodities, at least having a common spec on certain things.“We’d have something like a JAMA standard that complies with the requirements of all of us, where we certify some suppliers, and then use this freely.”Beyond this parts standardisation across the Japanese carmakers, JAMA is also reportedly looking to commonise logistics, simplify Japan’s automobile taxing system, redesign the country’s autonomous driving infrastructure, secure access to raw materials, commercialise a circular recycling economy, as well as improve talent recruitment.Even if Japan’s major OEMs can band together and standardise componentry, it still may not be enough to compete against the so-called 'China Speed.'As recently reported, BYD Executive Vice President He Zhiqi claimed that 650 new or updated cars have launched in China in the first half of 2026. This equals around 25 vehicles per week.Many Chinese brands are also having breakthrough success in many export markets, including Australia.China overtook Japan earlier this year to become the largest importer of new vehicles in Australia, ending a 28-year streak.In the first half of 2026 a total of 175,151 new vehicles sold in Australia were manufactured in China, according to VFACTS. This is up 70.2 per cent year-on-year.This number is higher when sales figures from the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) are factored in, however it doesn’t stipulate the vehicle’s country of origin in its reports. Polestar and Tesla report their sales figures through the EVC, rather than VFACTS.On the other hand, a total of 144,430 new vehicles sold in Australia in the first half of 2026 were imported from Japan. This is down 22.8 per cent year-on-year.It’s worth noting that many Japanese carmakers already have partnerships or joint ventures with Chinese carmakers to produce vehicles in China, mainly for China.However, some of these brands are exporting these Chinese-made models to other markets, including Australia.Examples include the Mazda 6e and soon the Mazda CX-6e, and Nissan is still assessing whether to bring some of its popular Chinese-made vehicles Down Under, like the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute and NX8 hybrid and electric SUV.

The winds of change are blowing a gale through the Australian car industry, as new brands and vehicles whizz past old favourites on the sales charts.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries boss Tony Weber said the June result was a paradigm shift for the new vehicle market. “The Australian automotive market has shifted on its axis during the first months of 2026. This year is likely to represent a significant turning point for the Australian automotive industry,” said Weber.BYD is officially a category five storm blowing in the direction of Toyota, Ford, Mazda and others that have dominated the top five selling brands for the past decade.BYD sold 18,881 new cars in June, all of them either electric or plug-in hybrids. This brought its three month total to 34,794 after its much ballyhooed effort to send its own ships packed to the gills with cars to Australia.Toyota had battened down the hatches in June and fortified itself against the fierce onslaught of BYD. It managed 19,124 sales in the past month to hold on to first place.It is understood that Toyota has increased supply going forward and is planning a monster second half of the year.Ford bounced back to third place with 9181 sales. Tesla came roaring up behind the Blue Oval with 8670 sales in June, which is impressive considering it only sells two vehicles.The Tesla Model Y was the best selling vehicle in the country with 8072 examples finding a home in the past month.Stablemates Kia (8005) and Hyundai (7480) held firm in fifth and sixth spots, while Mazda slid down to seventh (7278).Chinese brands finished out the top 10 with GWM (6104), MG (5001) and Chery (4505) muscling out old favourites Mitsubishi (4150), Subaru (2902) and Nissan (2337).A few other Chinese brands are lurking outside the top 10, with Geely 13th with 3507 sales and Chery’s Omoda Jaecoo sub brand 15th after moving 2541 units.Utes still delivered strong results, which is typical for the End of Financial Year period.The Toyota HiLux was the Japanese brand’s best selling model with 5175 sales, and Ford’s Ranger was the second best selling model overall with 5999 sales. BYD’s plug-in hybrid Sark 6 ute was its second best selling model, with 3398 sales.Top 10 selling car brands, June 2026 Top 10 selling vehicles, June 2026  

Two of Japan’s biggest car manufacturers are edging closer to a game-changing team-up, and it could have huge implications for Australia. Honda Chief Executive Officer Toshihiro Mibe has told shareholders the brand is in final talks with Nissan to collaborate on key software information. The deal was described as a “win-win relationship” by Mibe.It will see the pair share electronic control units (ECU) responsible for in-vehicle systems and autonomous driving, among other things.The standardisation of ECUs will form the basis of the brands’ next-generation vehicles, many of which could be on their way to Australia in the coming years. These ECUs would also be used in future Mitsubishi vehicles as Nissan maintains a sizeable stake in the carmaker. Next-generation electrified cars are increasingly important in markets like Australia where there are now fines for high emitting engines, but neither Honda or Nissan offer substantial EV lineups Down Under and have been slower to roll-out affordable hybrids across their range compared to some rivals. Honda recently backtracked on its global EV plans and will instead focus on a hybrid strategy.The Super-One city car, due later this year, is the only confirmed electric offering from the brand.Nissan has more comprehensive EV model lineup, but it has just one EV on sale in Australia, which is its Ariya mid-size SUV.A collaboration between Honda and Nissan could provide the impetus required to produce more future electrified cars for markets like Australia.There are still issues for the brands to iron out, including development funds, but it looks like an agreement is not too far away, according to Nikkei Asia. It could be reached within the next few weeks, meaning the technology could be in cars before the end of the decade.This is all contingent on Nissan convincing Renault, as the French brand holds a 15 per cent voting stake in its alliance partner. Renault has previously presented a roadblock to Nissan, halting talks over a merger in the past.News of a partnership between Honda and Nissan comes as they struggle to stave off the increasing power of Chinese carmakers in global markets.Nissan President Ivan Espinosa recently said carmakers needed to learn from China."China is as of now setting the industry standards of the future in terms of technology, in terms of cost competitiveness and in terms of development time," Espinosa told Nikkei Asia.Chinese brands have formed relationships with mainstream carmakers to collaborate on products and technology. This collaboration has seen many of China’s carmakers surge up the sales charts across the world.Nissan has developed a strong relationship with Chinese brand Dongfeng over the years, mainly focussing on China-based models.It recently spawned the Nissan Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute, which is expected to be known as the Navara Pro when it arrives in Australia, likely next year. Honda hopes some type of collaboration in its deal with Nissan will get it back on track as it looks to overturn heavy financial losses. "We will internalise the means to beat emerging forces within three years," Mibe said. "If we don't, our four-wheel business will be in trouble. We will face this challenge with unwavering determination."Honda has its own relationship with Chinese carmaker GAC, but this venture has been embattled in recent years, thanks to a bruising price war in the Chinese domestic market, which has seen it sell cars at a loss.It has raised doubts that the GAC/Honda joint venture will continue after its renewal date comes due in 2028. The two brands have been partners for nearly 30 years.

Mitsubishi is preparing to launch its new Pajero 4WD in the coming months, and a steady drip feed of information is starting to appear.The latest dispatches from the Japanese brand show the new Mitsubishi Pajero will be ready to rumble off-road when it arrives in Australia later this year.It will feature what Mitsubishi calls a Multi Meter, which is a modern, digital version of the old triple meters from previous generations.The new digital readouts will show altitude, compass heading, ambient temperature, vehicle pitch and roll angles and left and right torque distribution. The latter points to advanced torque vectoring and yaw control, which are two crucial elements of Mitsubishi's Super Select-II 4WD set-up that is available on top-spec Triton GSR.The digital readout also points to a hi-tech cabin, which will likely surpass anything Mitsubishi currently offers.Mitsubishi Australia’s GM of Product Strategy and PR Bruce Hampel previously told CarsGuide the Pajero will be the brand's premium flagship, which fits into the hi-tech classy cabin that is teased.Details of the new Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol rival are scarce, but we now it will be based on the Triton ute.This means a 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, which makes 150kW and 470Nm. This is matched to a six-speed auto driving all four wheels.Australian government homologation documents, which confirm a vehicle is approved for sale and often appear several months before models land in dealerships, have shown the Pajero will be available in GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR trims.The GLX and GLS will be simple affairs, while the Exceed will likely have a plush cabin. The GSR should be the toughest looking, with the latter potentially mirroring the Triton GSR with blacked-out styling.The Pajero hasn’t been revealed in full, with a debut pencilled in for later this year, but it has been spied undergoing testing in Australia numerous times.The camouflage cars wear blocky, hard-edged styling that is popular with 4WD buyers, and synonymous with Pajeroes of old.Mitsubishi is also planning a range of Pajero models. There is no official word on what they might be yet, but speculation out of Japan points to a mini Pajero and possibly a shortened three-door version. Those models likely won't be seen in public until next decade.

The new Mitsubishi Pajero is coming in hot, with its Australian launch closing in.Details of the Japanese brand’s rough-and-tumble four-wheel drive are starting to surface ahead of the vehicle’s launch before the end of the year.Australia has already been confirmed as one of the first markets in the world to get the new Pajero, but now it has been revealed there will be four Pajeroes to choose from.Government homologation documents, which confirm a vehicle is approved for sale and often appear several months before models land in dealerships, show the Pajero will be available in GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR trims.This will give the fifth-generation Pajero the firepower to take on the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.Mitsubishi is keeping information close to its chest, with all other details usually found in the approval documents missing.If we look at Mitsubishi's other models we can get an idea of what each grade may represent.The GLX and GLS will be workman like off-roaders, focusing on capability with less of the showy pampering of higher-end variants.Exceed versions will likely be the most luxe of the bunch with premium finishes throughout.  The GSR should be the toughest looking, with the latter potentially mirroring the Triton GSR with blacked-out styling and even increased 4WD capabilities.Mitsubishi hasn’t revealed what the Pajero will look like, but it has been spotted testing in Australia wearing beefy, blocky styling similar to the incoming Nissan Patrol.We do know it will be based on the current Mitsubishi Triton ute, which means it will use a rugged ladder frame that is also found underneath the LandCruiser and Patrol 4WDs.More recent Pajero generations have used a unibody structure, which is used in SUVs and passenger cars. This means it is often not as sturdy off-road, but is lighter, more fuel efficient and composed on the road than conventional ladder-framed 4WDs.Technical details haven’t been revealed, but it is odds on to use the same set-up as the Triton.This means a 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, which makes 150kW and 470Nm. This is matched to a six-speed auto driving all four wheels.All or several grades are likely to be fitted with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II tech, which brings selectable drive modes for different road surfaces and active yaw control. A rear differential lock is near certainty, too.Mitsubishi is also planning a range of Pajero models. There is no official word on what they might be yet, but speculation out of Japan points to a mini Pajero and possibly a shortened three-door version. Those models likely won't be seen in public until next decade.

Mitsubishi has confirmed its new Pajero 4WD will spawn a whole line-up of new vehicles, but what they will be has been a mystery… until now.Japanese motoring magazine Best Car, which is known for its well-placed sources within the local car industry, has pointed to a new baby Pajero or ‘Pajero Junior’.The outlet speculates that based on the information it has received, the new baby Pajero could be based on a familiar model, which is forbidden from being sold in Australia.Best Car also speculates the new little rugged SUV could revive the Pajero iO or Pajero Junior names.Car-buying Australians from the turn of the century are likely to remember the Pajero iO, which was sold in three- and five-door layouts. It was properly compact, measuring about 4000mm long in the larger five-door body shape.There are only a handful of cars currently shorter than that on sale right now, including the Suzuki Swift, Kia Picanto and Mini Cooper three-door.Best Car suggests it will be based on something much bigger, the XForce SUV sold in South-East Asian markets and is similar to the old ASX SUV. The current Outlander and Delica platforms are deemed too large for a new Pajero iO.The XForce ticks a few boxes, it uses hybrid power and is already produced in right-hand drive. Unfortunately it is only front-wheel drive and it doesn’t meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which makes it a non-starter for our market.This means unless there is some serious engineering work done, it is unlikely any baby Pajero based on the XForce would be made available in Australia.To rub salt in the wounds, the XForce is sold across the ditch in New Zealand, where new cars don’t have to meet our extremely stringent ADRs.And the brand won't stop at one Pajero variant either it seems.The official transcript from the brand's future strategy presentation read: “In addition to the "Pajero" to be launched this year as a model that embodies the DNA of Mitsubishi Motors-ness, we will introduce additional new models going forward as part of the 'Pajero' series.”For now Australians will have to settle for the full-sized Pajero, which will arrive before the end of the year.It hasn’t been revealed in full yet, but CarsGuide has spotted the Pajero undergoing testing in Victoria around Christmas time last year.The new Pajero has blocky proportions similar to the incoming Nissan Patrol. It is based on the Triton ute, so it has a rugged ladder frame ideal for off-roading. You can expect it to tow 3500kg.Odds on it will use the same 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that powers the Triton and makes 150kW and 470Nm.It will be the brand’s flagship product, so expect a classy interior.

Fuel prices in Australia are about to rise again. The federal government has announced the Fuel Excise cut will continue at a lower rate until the start of August.The original 50 per cent discount equated to 32 cents per litre off fuel prices, but this was due to end on the 30th of June.The government will now extend a smaller discount of 16 cents per litre until the 2nd of August. This announcement means fuel prices will increase across the board in addition to any other fluctuations from external factors. A 16 cent increase will see diesel fuel prices increase back above the $2 per litre mark across the country, having been more than $3 per litre at times over the past few months. The diesel-powered Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes remain two of the best-selling cars in Australia.E10 petrol will also creep up towards the $2 point as a result of this decreased discount. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not ruled out further extensions to the Fuel Excise discount in the future if circumstances require it. "Of course we do live in a volatile world. Were there to be a massive global shock, my government will always respond,” Mr Albanese told Sky News. The news comes as rumours of an end to the Iran war heat up, with the conflict being the key driver of high fuel prices. There is still no freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz - the key gateway for many ships carrying oil globally.It has seen electric vehicle uptake in Australia soar, with budget Chinese options like the Jaecoo J5 EV and Geely EX5 growing by more than 200 per cent between May and June 2026. Tesla experienced a record-breaking month in May, shifting 6433 units - its highest sales number since the Electric Vehicle Council started collecting data. The government will also increase the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to 16 cents per litre, with it being free since April.